Nat Berhe is getting a chance at safety with Thompson hurt

Thompson, the third-round draft pick who was handed the job at the start of training camp, was hurt in the Giants' preseason loss to the Bills in Buffalo on Saturday.

Coach Ben McAdoo was not available to comment on the extent of the injury on Monday, but Berhe ran with the starting unit as it went over corrections from Saturday's game and began working on plans for this weekend's game against the Jets.

A fifth-round draft pick in 2014, Berhe was expected to push for a starting job last season after Antrel Rolle signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent.

However, he injured a calf in the spring and never made it back to the field. He was placed on injured reserve.

''It's day to day,'' Berhe said of playing with the first team now. ''We all know this league is day to day, playing strong safety or free safety. Anything can happen.''

Berhe had thought he would be in the mix for a starting job this season, but Thompson was very impressive in the spring and in the minicamp and got the nod from the coaches to play opposite Landon Collins.

Berhe didn't let it get him down.

''I'm an employee,'' he said. ''I work for the Giants. Whatever they want to do I am with it.''

Berhe said his goal in training camp has been to be relentless in running down the ball and showing up on the clips when the tackle is made.

His 35 snaps on Saturday were the second most on the defense. He finished with two tackles. He also played five snaps on special teams.

Berhe said missing last season helped to him grow as a person. He also has learned to listen to his body and ease up when it is hurting.

''I have grown as a realist, but I am still striving to be better and learn as much as I can,'' the 25-year-old San Diego State product said. ''It is definitely a humbling experience to be put on IR, and to not play.''

NOTES: TE Matt LaCosse is day to day with a knee injury. ...WR Victor Cruz is expected back at practice on Tuesday for the first time since hurting his groin before the preseason opener. ... G Justin Pugh also expects to be back after missing the Bills' game with a shoulder injury. ... The offensive line doesn't seem to be worried about its shaky preseason. ''It takes a lot to get the run fits together and we still have two preseason games, two preseason weeks to get some good work in, so we saw some things on film that we are looking forward to going out and working on getting better,'' center Weston Richburg said.